Telescoping mechanism

ABSTRACT

In an aspect, provided is an adjustable telescoping assembly. The adjustable telescoping assembly comprises a first support member and a second support member that is slidable upon the first support member and which defines an interior volume. At least one damping element is provided that extends from outside the second support member, through the second support member into the interior volume and engages the first support member.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of telescoping mechanisms,and in particular to an adjustable telescoping armrest as may beimplemented on an office chair having one or more adjustable features.

BACKGROUND

Telescoping mechanisms find wide application in a multitude ofindustries. The ability to customize a device based on built-intelescoping mechanisms provides for flexibility and adaptability thatcould otherwise necessitate wasteful duplication of devices having onlyminor dimensional differences.

An industry that has readily adopted the adaptability of telescopingmechanisms is the furniture industry, in particular with respect toergonomics in office chairs. It has long been recognized that repetitivestrain injuries occurring in the workplace can be lessened byincorporating ergonomic features into the equipment and furniture usedby the worker. Within the office environment, the evolution of theoffice chair is a prime example of how ergonomic design has influenceddevelopment, with modern chairs now being highly adjustable toaccommodate a wide range of potential users.

For typists and computer users, proper arm height and support isnecessary to place the hands in the correct position to engage thekeyboard. This is particularly true where the user is required to engagea keyboard for hours at a time, a common occurrence for manyoccupations. Adjustable armrests are known, that is to provide bothvertical and lateral adjustment, but such systems are prone to rattleand undesirable play, which can be distracting, and generally leaves theuser with the impression that the chair is of poor quality or improperlyadjusted.

It would be desirable to provide a telescoping mechanism, for example anarmrest assembly that permits for selectable adjustment, but slidesefficiently with minimal rattle and undesirable play between slidingsurfaces.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the disclosure, provided is an adjustabletelescoping assembly. The adjustable telescoping assembly comprises afirst support member and a second support member that is slidable uponthe first support member and which defines an interior volume. At leastone damping element is provided that extends from outside the secondsupport member, through a corresponding damping element aperture on thesecond support member into the interior volume and engages the firstsupport member.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, provided is an adjustablearmrest assembly. The adjustable armrest assembly comprises a firstsupport member and a second support member that includes a secondsupport member body that is slidable upon the first support member. Theadjustable armrest assembly also provides an armrest that is supportedon the second support member, and an adjustment lock mechanism operableto releasably lock the second support member in a selectable locationrelative to the first support member. The second support member includesan actuator portion positioned to operate the adjustment lock mechanismand a flexible collar that covers the actuator portion and extendsaround the second support member body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages will be apparent fromthe following description of the disclosure as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporatedherein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explainthe principles of the disclosure and to enable a person skilled in thepertinent art to make and use the disclosure. The drawings are not toscale.

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an office chair incorporating an armrestassembly according to a first embodiment hereof.

FIG. 2a is a side view of the armrest assembly according to theembodiment of FIG. 1, showing the armrest assembly in a loweredposition.

FIG. 2b is a side view of the armrest assembly according to theembodiment of FIG. 1, showing the armrest assembly in a raised position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the armrest assembly accordingto the embodiment of FIG. 1 (with the armrest pad removed for clarity).

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the first support member of the armrestassembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the bearing sleeve of the armrest assemblyaccording to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through line A-A in FIG. 2a , showingthe relationship between the bearing sleeve and the upper support memberof the armrest assembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through line B-B in FIG. 2a , detailingthe locking mechanism and the flexible collar with damping elements,according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the armrestassembly incorporating an additional damping insert.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the armrest assembly according to theembodiment of FIG. 8, showing the armrest assembly without the lateralsupport arm.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of the armrest assemblyaccording to the embodiment of FIG. 8, showing features of the dampinginsert.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view through line C-C in FIG. 9, showingthe relationship between the damping insert and the first and secondsupport members of the armrest assembly according to the embodiment ofFIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the present disclosure are now described withreference to the figures, wherein like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements. The following detaileddescription is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limitthe disclosure or the application and uses of the disclosure.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background,brief summary or the following detailed description.

The telescoping mechanism of the present disclosure serves to reducerattle and general play between elements that slide telescopicallyrelative to one another. For ease of explanation, and to demonstrate aparticular use of the telescoping mechanism, the telescoping mechanismof the present disclosure is exemplified in the form of a telescopingarmrest assembly. It will be appreciated that the telescoping mechanismmay be implemented in a wide range of other applications, such as, butnot limited to, a wide array of extendable rods (i.e. as used for windowcleaning, tree trimming, the ‘selfie-stick’, etc.) and telescopingtripods (i.e. as used by photographers, surveyors, etc.).

Referring now to FIG. 1, shown is a chair 10 presented in the form of anoffice chair having one or more adjustable features. The chair 10includes a seat 12, a backrest 14, a leg assembly 16 and a pair oftelescoping armrest assemblies 18, each telescoping telescoping armrestassembly 18 supporting a respective armrest pad 20. To facilitateergonomic adjustment, the seat 12 may be vertically adjustable, forexample as provided by a telescoping column 22. The backrest 14 may beprovided with a range of adjustability, for example with respect tovertical positioning relative to the seat 12, as well as desired lumbarsupport. The leg assembly 16 generally provides a base 24 that supportsthe telescoping column 22, as well as a plurality of leg extensions 26,each configured to support a respective rolling member 28 (e.g. arolling caster). In the embodiment shown, five leg extensions 26 areprovided.

Each telescoping armrest assembly 18 is vertically adjustable in orderto suit a range of users of the chair 10. Having regard to FIGS. 2a and2b , the telescoping armrest assembly 18 is capable of being adjustedfrom a first lowered position (FIG. 2a ) to a second raised position(FIG. 2b ), with a range of intermediate positions being availabletherebetween. To achieve this, the telescoping armrest assembly 18includes a first support member 30 and a second support member 32, thesecond support member 32 being configured to cooperate with the firstsupport member 30 to provide vertical adjustability through a slidingarrangement therebetween. As shown, the second support member 32provides a second support member body 33 that defines an interiorvolume, where the second support member 32 is configured to slide uponthe first support member 30.

Referring now to the exploded view of FIG. 3, the first support member30 includes a lateral support arm 34 configured for attachment to theseat 12 of chair 10 (as shown in FIG. 1), and an upright support arm 36.In the embodiment shown, the lateral support arm 34 presents a seatattachment portion 38 having a plurality of fastener apertures 40 thatcooperate with threaded fasteners to fasten the lateral support arm 34to a rigid support structure (e.g. a frame member) provided on theunderside of the seat 12. It will be appreciated that in someembodiments, the seat attachment portion 38 may be attached to amechanism (not shown) that permits a range of lateral adjustment of thetelescoping armrest assembly 18 relative to the seat 12. Opposite theseat attachment portion 38, the lateral support arm 34 presents anupright attachment portion 42 that attaches to the upright support arm36 of the first support member 30.

As shown, the upright support arm 36 of the first support member 30includes an internal support member 44 and a bearing sleeve 46. Havingregard to FIG. 4 in which the first support member 30 is shown withoutthe bearing sleeve 46, the internal support member 44 is attached at alateral attachment portion 48 to the upright attachment portion 42 ofthe lateral support arm 34. The lateral support arm 34 and internalsupport member 44 are formed of metal (for example a steel or anothersuitable alloy), with the attachment therebetween generally beingachieved through metallurgic bonding (i.e. welding). It will beappreciated that while the lateral support arm 34 and internal supportmember 44 are represented as separately formed structures that aresubsequently attached (i.e. welded) in a generally L-shaped arrangement,they may in an alternative embodiment be unitary in form, that is formedas a one-piece structure, as can be achieved through a metal stampingprocess.

Continuing with FIG. 4, opposite the lateral attachment portion 48, theinternal support member 44 provides a lock-channel portion 50. The lockchannel portion 50 includes a series of through-holes 52 that cooperateto form a lock channel 54. The through-holes 52 are aligned along alongitudinal axis A of the internal support member 44, with adjacentthrough-holes 52 partially overlapping so as to define a series ofnarrowed sections 56 therebetween. The lock channel 50 forms a part ofthe adjustment lock mechanism as will be described in greater detailbelow.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the bearing sleeve 46 is configured to coverthe internal support member 44 over at least the lock channel portion 50and a portion of the lateral attachment portion 48. The bearing sleeve46 may be formed of a suitable thermoplastic material (e.g. apolypropylene or polyethylene) and may be formed directly upon theinternal support member 44 by way of a plastic injection overmoldingprocess. It will be appreciated, however, that the bearing sleeve 46 maybe separately formed in two or more pieces, and subsequently attached tothe internal support member 44. For example, the bearing sleeve 46 maybe injection molded in two or more subsections, and attached to theinternal support member 44 using suitable fasteners or adhesives.

Having regard to FIG. 5, the bearing sleeve 46 provides a first side 58and a second side 60 that interconnect along a first edge 62 and asecond edge 64. As shown, the first and second sides 58, 60 additionallyinterconnect at the through-holes 52 along the length of the lockchannel 54 of the internal support member 44, thereby forming amechanical interlock between the bearing sleeve 46 and the internalsupport member 44. In the area surrounding the lock channel 54, thefirst side 58 additionally includes a first recess 66, while the secondside 60 additionally includes a second recess 68. Having regard to FIG.6, the bearing sleeve 46 directly engages the second support member 32in a sliding relationship, the first and second sides 58, 60 togetherwith the first and second edges 62, 64 define a primary slide surface70, while the first and second recesses 66, 68 define secondary slidesurfaces 72, 74.

The second support member 32 is generally provided in the form of ahollow sleeve having an inside surface 76 and an outside surface 78.Along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the secondsupport member 32, the inside surface 76 provides a series of primaryguide elements 80 a, 80 b, 80 c, 80 d, 80 e, 80 f that bear upon theprimary slide surface 70 of the bearing sleeve 46. In the embodimentshown, the primary guide elements 80 a, 80 b adjacently align and sliderelative to the primary slide surface 70 in the region of the first edge62 and the second edge 64, respectively. The primary guide elements 80c, 80 d adjacently align and slide relative to the primary slide surface70 along the first side 58, while the primary guide elements 80 e, 80 fadjacently align and slide relative to the primary slide surface 70along the second side 60. The second support member 32 may additionallyinclude a series of secondary guide elements 82 a, 82 b, 82 c, 82 d thatbear upon the secondary slide surfaces 72, 74 provided at the first andsecond recesses 66, 68. As shown, the secondary guide elements 82 a, 82b adjacently align and slide relative to the secondary slide surface 72,while the secondary guide elements 82 c, 82 d adjacently align and sliderelative to the secondary slide surface 74. The clearance between theprimary and secondary guide elements 80, 82 and the respective primaryand secondary slide surfaces 70, 72/74 is established to permit a smoothand interference-free sliding action. In general, the average clearancebetween adjacently aligned surfaces is in the range of 0.25 to 1 mm,with a preferred average clearance of 0.5 mm. It will be appreciatedthat with this arrangement, the second support member 32 is slidableupon the first support member 30 through the range of verticaladjustability shown in FIGS. 2A and 2 b.

In the embodiment shown, the first and second sides 58, 60 of thebearing sleeve 46 taper towards each other at the first and second edges62, 64. Accordingly, the arrangement of the primary guide elements 80 c,80 e relative to the tapered profile proximal the first edge 62 and thecorresponding arrangement of the primary guide elements 80 d, 80 frelative to the tapered profile proximal the second edge 64 serve toreduce unwanted movement in a direction transverse to the longitudinalplane of the bearing sleeve 46. For example, upon a shift of the firstedge 62 of the bearing sleeve 46 towards the primary guide element 80 a,the primary guide elements 80 c, 80 e engage a widening profile betweenthe first and second sides 58, 60 proximal the first edge 62. A similarrestriction in movement in the opposing direction is achieved by virtueof primary guide elements 80 d, 80 f acting upon a widening profileproximal the second edge 64. Accordingly, the overall extent of unwantedtransverse movement of the second support member 32 relative to thefirst support member 30 is reduced.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the second support member 32 also includes aadjustment lock mechanism 84, operable to releasably lock the secondsupport member 32 in a selectable location relative to the first supportmember 30. The lock mechanism 84 includes a moveable locking member 86having an actuator portion 87 that enables operation of the lockmechanism 84. As shown, locking member 86 presents the actuator portion87 and a locking portion 88 sized to selectively engage one of thethrough-holes 52 along the lock channel 54 (see FIG. 4). The lockingportion 88 is sized to prevent passage through the narrow section 56(see FIG. 4) of the lock channel 54, thereby maintaining the selectedlocation. The locking member 86 additionally includes a release portion90 sized to permit movement of the locking member 86 through the narrowsection 56 between adjacent through-holes 52, and therein along the lockchannel 54 to a select position. The lock mechanism 84 incorporates abiasing member 92 to bias the locking member 86 towards a lockedposition, where the locking portion 88 is positioned within the selectthrough-hole 52.

The second support member 32 provides a mount 94 for receiving thelocking member 86. As shown, the mount 94 includes on one side a recessdefining a first seat 96 for receiving the biasing member 92, and on theopposing side, a recess defining a second seat 98 to receive a suitablestop member 100 and fastener 102. As shown, the locking member 86 isprovided with an undercut 104 to assist in retaining the biasing member92 between the locking member 86 and the first seat 96. It will beappreciated that the stop member 100 is dimensioned such that upon beingfastened to the locking member 86, it ensures a continued biasing forcefrom the biasing member 92 upon the locking member 86. By theapplication of force upon the locking member 86 in a direction oppositethe biasing force of the biasing member 92, the locking member 86 can bedisplaced to a released position, where the locking portion 88 isremoved from the through-hole, permitting the release portion 90 toslide between the narrowed sections 56.

Referring back to FIG. 3, in the region around the locking mechanism 84,the outside surface 78 of the second support member 32 is adapted toreceive an flexible collar 106 within a collar recess 108. The flexiblecollar 106 is configured to seat and position substantially flush withinthe collar recess 108 of the second support member body 33. The flexiblecollar 106 encircles a portion of the second support member body 33 ofthe second support member 32 and covers the actuator portion 87 of thelocking member 86. The flexible collar 106 is pliable, permitting a userto press upon the flexible collar 106 to actuate the locking member 86when armrest vertical adjustment is necessary.

Having regard to FIG. 7, the flexible collar 106 includes at least onedamping element 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 d provided on an inside surface112 thereof. Each damping element 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 d extends tothe interior volume of the second support member 32 through a respectivedamping element aperture 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d provided in thecollar recess 108 of the second support member 32. As shown, theflexible collar 106 provides four damping elements 110 a, 110 b, 110 c,110 d that align and extend through respective damping element apertures114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d on the second support member 32. Each dampingelement 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 d is adapted to engage a respectivedamping channel provided on the bearing sleeve 46 of the first supportmember 30. As shown, the bearing sleeve 46 provides a first dampingchannel 116 a and a second damping channel 116 b on the first side 58,and a third damping channel 116 c and a forth damping channel 116 d onthe second side 60. Each damping element 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 dincludes at the terminus end an enlarged engagement portion 118configured to engage the respective damping channel 116 of the bearingsleeve 46. Accordingly, damping elements 110 a, 110 b align and engagedamping channels 116 a, 116 b, respectively on the first side 58 of thebearing sleeve 46, while damping elements 110 c, 110 d align and engagerespective damping channels 116 c, 116 d on the second side 60 of thebearing sleeve 46. The engagement of the damping elements 110 a, 110 b,110 c, 110 d mounted on the second support member 32 via the flexiblecollar 106 with the damping channels 116 provided on the bearing sleeve46 of the first support member 30 has the beneficial effect of reducingunwanted vibration or looseness therebetween, while still permittingsliding action upon release of the locking mechanism 84.

As shown, the flexible collar 106 additionally includes an enlargedlocking member cover position 120, and an inside surface projection 122that extends partially into the seat 98 of the mount 94, therebyproviding additional registration between the flexible collar 106 andthe collar recess 108 of the second support member 32.

The flexible collar 106 may be made of any suitable flexible/elastomericmaterial including but not limited to saturated and unsaturated rubbers,as well as thermoplastic elastomers. To enhance location of theadjustment lock mechanism, in particular without visually locating it,selection of material for the flexible collar 106 may be based onproviding a different tactile feel in comparison to the second supportmember body 33. Accordingly, the flexible collar 106 may be formed of amaterial and/or provided with a surface finish (i.e. surface featuresincluding, but not limited to ribs, dimples, protuberances, etc.) thatenhance non-visual location.

Having regard to FIG. 3, second support member 32, at an upper end 124thereof, is adapted to receive an armrest pad 20 (see FIG. 1). It willbe appreciated that the armrest pad 20 may take on a variety of forms,and there is no intent to limit this disclosure to one particular form.In one exemplary embodiment, the armrest pad may be of the fixed varietywhere the armrest pad is provided on an anchor plate adapted for directattachment to the upper end 124 of the second support member 32. In analternative embodiment, the armrest pad may include a lateral positionadjuster that permits the armrest pad 20 to be located through a rangeof lateral positions relative to the second support member 32.

The telescoping armrest assembly 18 may additionally comprise variousplates and covers to improve the overall aesthetics and safety of theassembly. Having regard to FIG. 3, the telescoping armrest assembly 18is shown as having a lateral arm cover plate 126, and a pair of lateralattachment plates 128 a, 128 b.

In some embodiments, the telescoping armrest assembly 18 may include oneor more additional damping structures to reduce rattle and play betweenthe first and second support members 30, 32. Having regard to FIGS. 8through 10, shown is a telescoping armrest assembly 18 that includes anadditional damping insert 130. The damping insert 130 includes an insertbody 132 sized to fit a corresponding insert recess 134 provided on thebody 33 of the second support member 32. The damping insert 130 alsoincludes at least one insert damping element 136 that extends fromoutside the second support member 32, through a corresponding dampingelement aperture 138 on the second support member 32 into the interiorvolume and engages the first support member 30. As shown in FIG. 11, theinsert damping element 136 includes at the terminus end an enlargedengagement portion 140 configured to engage the first support member 30.In the fully retracted position (as shown in FIG. 11), the enlargedengagement portion 140 of the insert damping element 136 engages thelateral attachment plate 128 a of the first support member 30. Duringvertical extension of the telescoping armrest assembly 18, the enlargedengagement portion 140 of the insert damping element 136 may engage thebearing sleeve 46 of the first support member 30. The engagement portion140 includes a shoulder 142 that extends behind the body 33 to engagethe inside surface 76 of the second support member 32. In this way, thedamping insert 130 is secured within the insert recess 134 provided onthe outside surface 78 of the second support member 32.

In the embodiment shown, the damping insert 130 is elongate in form, andincludes two insert damping elements 136. It will be appreciated that insome embodiments, the damping insert 130 may include only one insertdamping element 136, while in other embodiments, the damping insert 130may include three or more insert damping elements 136. The dampinginsert 130 is shown as being located on the second support member 32 ina lower region proximate to the lateral support arm 34. It will beappreciated that the damping insert 130 may be positioned at otherlocations on the second support member 32, either on the surface facinginwardly towards the seat 12 of the chair 10, or on the opposingoutwardly directed surface. It will also be appreciated that atelescoping armrest assembly 18 may include more than one damping insert130. The damping insert 130 may be made of any suitableflexible/elastomeric material including but not limited to saturated andunsaturated rubbers, as well as thermoplastic elastomers.

It will be appreciated that the adjustment mechanism disclosed aboveincorporates a telescoping relationship between a stationary body (thefirst support member 30) and a moveable component (the second supportmember 32). The advantages gained by incorporating the flexible collar106 and/or the one or more damping inserts 130, namely the reduction inrattle and general play between sliding surfaces, is transferrable toother telescoping mechanisms where a smoother and generally quieterassociation between parts is desired. Accordingly, the disclosure mayfind application in fields outside that of office chairs, for exampleextendable rods and adjustable tripods as suggested above.

As used herein, the terms horizontal and vertical and variations thereofare to be understood with reference to the structure of the chair 10 asshown in FIG. 1. Specifically, the term horizontal refers to a directionthat is generally parallel to the plane defined by the seat 12 of chair10, while the term vertical refers to a direction that is generallyperpendicular to the plane defined by the seat 12 of chair 10.Similarly, the terms upward, downward, upper, lower, as well asderivations thereof are used to refer to a relative position that isgenerally perpendicular to the plane the seat 12 of chair 10.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented only as illustrations andexamples of the present disclosure, and not by way of limitation. Itwill be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that variouschanges in form and detail can be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope ofthe present disclosure should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. It will alsobe understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, andof each reference cited herein, can be used in combination with thefeatures of any other embodiment. All patents and publications discussedherein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. An adjustable armrest assembly comprising: a firstsupport member (30); a second support member (32) including a secondsupport member body (33) that is slidable upon the first support member(30); an armrest that is supported on the second support member; and alocking member (86) having an actuator portion; wherein the secondsupport member (32) includes a flexible collar (106) that covers theactuator portion and extends around the second support member body, andwherein the actuator portion is movable through the flexible collar fromoutside the second support member, to drive the locking member toreleasably lock the second support member (32) in a selectable locationrelative to the first support member (30).
 16. The adjustable armrestassembly according to claim 15, wherein the flexible collar issubstantially flush with the body.
 17. The adjustable armrest assemblyaccording to claim 15, wherein the flexible collar has a differentsurface finish than the second support member body.
 18. The adjustablearmrest assembly according to claim 15, wherein the flexible collar hasa different tactile feel than the second support member body.